Household utility device



y] 1929- H H. H. HANSEN 1,712,110

HOUSEHOLD UTILITY DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, '1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -w z i y 7, 19295 H. H. HA'N'SEN 1,112,110

HOUSEHOLD UTILITY DEVICE Filed Oct. 1a, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Henry H Hansen Patented May 7, 1929.

nuirsn STATES HENRY H. HANSEN, OF LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS.

HOUSEHOLD UTILITY DEVICE.

Application filed October 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,363.

This invention relates to a. device which is substantially indispensable, for its utilitarian value, in every household, hence a household utility device. I

The device consists of the combination of several familiar structures, which have heretofore found separate and single use in and about domestic residences, and which herein are shown combined in a new structure wherein they cooperate to produce new and useful results. The concept necessary to evolve the cooperative usefulness of these familiar household instruments of utility to jointly operate to increase their function and value, is of a high order of the inventive faculty, and new cooperative results are produeed by the assembly which is not an aggro gation of old devices minus a joint cooperative effect and void of mutual interdependonce, but a valuable cooperative association.

One of the objects of the invention is to combine an ironing board with a composite ladder in such manner that their individual functions are not impaired and new cooperative joint results and an extension of their uses are produced by the interdependence of the two elements of the new combination.

Other objects, advantages, benefits and refinements will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings forming a part of this application, wherein On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of the device as it appears whenbeing used as a step ladder.

Fig. 2 shows the device with the parts folded together in small compass.

Fig. 3 shows the device in perspective as when made into a scaffold, to be used for cleaning, painting or papering the walls and ceiling of a room.

Fig. 4; is a side elevation of the device as when used as an ironing board for laundry purposes, and as it is projected from a cabinet in which it may be contained when not in use.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a cabinet, with the door open showing the utility device therein.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section taken in line VII-VII of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line VIII- VIII of Fig. 1.

In all the views, the same reference characters indicate similar parts.

The device as shown consists generally of an ironing board 10 for laundry purposes hinged at its larger end 11 to a ladder 12.

A block or cleat 13 is secured to the end 11 with its longest axis transverse of the board. A pintle shaft 14 extends through the block and projects therebeyond at each end. This shaft serves as a pintle to hinge theboard and the ladder together.

In the exemplification shown, the side members 15 and 16 of the ladder are connected together near their lower ends by three steps only, 17, 18 and 19. Thespace intervening between step 17 and the upper ends of the members 15 and 16 is open, as

shown in Fig. 3.

Another shorter ladder 20 has its side members 21 and 22 also hinged on the shaft or pintle 14. This shorter ladder 20, as shown, has three steps 23, 2d and 25, and it is within and parallel with the larger ladder 12 and may be extended therefrom about its hinge to form a step ladder as shown in Fig. 3. a

The ladder 12 and the ladder 20 are held in positions shown in F ig.. 3, to prevent spreading, by a pair of relatively slidable links 27, a pair on each side. The links 27 are secured at each of their ends to the side members of the ladder 12 with the body part spaced away therefrom, and the links 27 have each an eye 28 which slides along the guides 26 and another eye or hook 29 pivoted to the front edge of the respective side memhere 22 and 21. WVhen the ladder 20 is in place within ladder 12, these slidable links change relative positions and are in place as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In positions shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of each ladder is in contact with the floor and the board 10 is held in horizontal position by a. brace or frame 30, having side members 31 and 32 pivoted to the side members 15 and 16 on the outside thereof at The members 31 and 32 are connected together at their outer ends by a cross member 34: and a brace 35.

A cleat 36 extends across the board 10. It carries two laterally projecting metal tongues 37 and 38 which pass through openings 39 and 4:0 in the cross member 34 to prevent the members 10 and 12 from spreading and relative lateral movement when extended, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the frame or brace 30 is not in use, as in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, it is folded back, as in Fig. 2, "ith its side members 31 and 32 parallel with the side members and 16 of the ladder 12. A wall cabinet ll for containing the device when not in use, has side members 4-2 and 4:3 and a back wall al A door closes the cabinet.

Two blocks 46 and l? are placed in the lower part of the cabinet and spaced suiticiently to receive the narrower end of the device, as in Fig. The blocks each has a notch opening upwardly to receive the project-ing ends Ila-14 of the pintlc. This forms a hinge upon which the device as a whole may be turned when moved outwardly, by swinging the upper end, as shown in Fig. 4:.

In this Figure 4: the board 10 is in horizontal position and may be used as an ironing board.

The inner end is supported by the pintle ends let resting in the blocks l6 and 47 and the outer end of the board 10 is supported by the composite ladder and the brace 30. By replacing frame in position, )arallel with the ladder 12, the latter may be raised on said pivots with the board 10 and the device may be replaced within the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 5 in inverted position.

lVhen the device is taken bodily from the cabinet and extended as shown in Fig. 3, it may be used as a trestle, ironing board or table. \Vhen used as a trestle, the shorter step ladder 20 is utilized as means for mounting the structure, which may then be used for supporting a person while cleaning, painting or papering the walls and ceiling of a room.

When the device is used as an ironing board, trestle, table or the like, the board 10 is in substantial horizontal position sup ported by the ladders 12 and 20, and when it is used as a ladder, the board 10 is placed on end as in Figure l and serves as a front support for the ladder structure.

It will be manifest that the ladder structure cooperates with the board in a novel manner to produce certain results, and that the board cooperates with the ladder in a novel manner to produce other results, and that both of them exercise novel functions not usual or possible with either when separated. There is an interdependence of the elements in this new association.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, an elongated board, a pair of ladders foldable into each other and pivotally connected at like ends to an end of said board, a brace frame pivoted to the longer of said ladders and having spaced apertures therein, spaced tongues on the under side of said board engageable in said apertures, and means attached to'both of said ladders to limit the pivotal movement thercbetween.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a board, two ladders pivoted to said board at like ends by a common pivot, said ladders arranged to be separateid to support said board in substantially hori zontal position; braces pivoted to the longer ladder for upholding the end of the board remote from the pivot, said ladders having sliding co-operating members to limit the spread of the same, said brace and board having interfitting members to prevent relative lateral movement of the same whereby said ladders serve to support said board in horizontal position and said board serves to support said ladder in inclined position, the parts being braced in either position to pre vent collapse in use.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HENRY H. HANSEN. 

